LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Highly regarded point guard Marko Jaric of Yugoslavia has signed a multiyear contract with the Los Angeles Clippers and the 2000 second-round draft pick figures to get a chance to contribute next season.

Terms of the deal were not announced Thursday.

Jaric, a 6-foot-7, 198-pounder who averaged 15.2 points, 4.9 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 33 games for Kinder Bologna of the Italian League last season, was taken as the 30th overall pick in the 2000 draft.

``His ability to push the ball up the court will fit in very well with our running game. He also does a very good job in finding the open man.''

Jaric, 23, is currently working out with Yugoslavia's national team at its training facility in Rottenburg, Germany in preparation for the World Championships, to be played Aug. 29-Sept. 8 in Indianapolis.

Clippers forward Elton Brand will play for the United States in the competition.

``I'm very excited to be coming to the Clippers and the NBA,'' Jaric said. ``I have met Elgin Baylor and the coaching staff and I look forward to working with everyone. I believe that I can help the team right away and look forward to getting started.''

Two-year veteran Keyon Dooling, limited to 14 games last season by a severely sprained ankle, had been the only point guard on the roster.

Jeff McInnis, the starter last season, is an unrestricted free agent, and his backup, Earl Boykins, was released earlier this month.

The Clippers discussed a trade involving point guard Andre Miller of the Cleveland Cavaliers before last month's NBA draft, but the talks stalled. The Clippers took forward Chris Wilcox and forward/center Melvin Ely in the first round of the draft.

Jaric led Kinder Bologna to the Italian League championship, Euroleague championship and Italian Cup championship two years ago in his first season with the team. He played for Fortitudo Bologna the previous two seasons.